Learning fish finding techniques may require practice for many years but when there is an instrument that can help you locate the fishes in no time….why not try it?
Mounting a transducer on your trolling motor can help you translate the changes happening under the water and sends accurate signals back to your fishfinders like the location of fish, temperature, or depth underwater.
Also read: 10 Best Trolling Motor Battery (Ultimate Guide)
Types of Transducers for Trolling motor
There are basically three types of transducers that you can install on your trolling motor.
1. Transom mount Transducer – Also known as skimmer transducers are a common instrument used for fish finders to provide the exact underwater temperature. Transducer wires are wired to the transducer, and the end holding a screw to the connector that makes the installation easy and straightforward.
2. Side Imaging Transducer – A great choice for anglers as it can locate fish very quickly as it can see to the side of the boat. This transducer can send a signal on both sides, including downwards to ensure no obstacles between these signals.
3. Thru-Hull Transducer – As the name suggests, the transducer passes the signals through the hull as it’s mounted against the hull in the boat. It keeps your device safe from hitting the bottom as it is protected inside the hull.
Mounting a transducer on the trolling motor
Follow the given steps to install a transducer on your trolling motor.
Step 1 – Slide the strengthener (transom bracket) into the transducer (adapter) that you will find in your transducer kit and add the two washers on the left and right sides of the adapter.
Step 2 – Take two bolts and tighten each side of the washer until you get the angle you want.
Step 3 – Slot the hose clamp through the port around the transducer bracket, ensuring your transducer points straight down without tilting.
Step 4 – Secure the cables from the transducer along the shaft length of your trolling motor and ensure the cable is out of the way of the trolling motor propeller.
Tips on the mounting transducer to your trolling motor
Follow the below tips while you install a transducer to your trolling motor.
- The transducer should be in contact with water all the time and not moving up and down the water.
- The location of the transom should be in a direction where there are no obstructions on either side.
- Your transducer should be mounted as close to the centerline of the boat or the engine.
- While mounting the transducer, it should not touch the shaft else; it would scratch the surface of the motor.
- Adjust the angle of the transducer as it needs to sit as close to the level as possible.
How To Mount A Transducer On A Minn Kota Trolling Motor?
Are you looking for tips to install a transducer on your Minn Kota trolling motor on your own? Well, let me help you out with some handy tips and tricks.
First of all, the Minn Kota Trolling Motor has a bracket on the top made up of aluminum. They extend all the way to the bottom end of the trolling motor, where you will see a hose. It’s a coiled-shaped hose, which is of great advantage as you can easily roll your cables or zip ties on it.
Things needed to mount a transducer on a Minn Kota trolling motor
- Transducer
- Transducer cords
- Heavy cables
- Heavy-duty zip lines
Steps to mount a transducer to the Minn Kota trolling motor
- First, you need to tighten the metal along with the bracket and then start rolling your cables. You can also use heavy-duty zip lines instead of cables.
- Next, you need to remove the head of the trolling motor and locate the shaft.
- Once you’ve secured the shaft, take it out and fold it.
- When the shaft is taken out, you will find a flat spot on it. Through this spot, you should run the transducer cords to mount in on the trolling motor.
- After this, you can finally secure the zip ties at the bottom end.
When attaching the transducer cord, make sure that you only use waterproof silicone and ensure that they are secure and tight with the help of zip ties. This should also be let out to dry in the sun or cool temperatures. If you don’t let it dry, then goop will form on the main place where the trolling motor operates, and this will be a much difficult task for you. Once the goop and everything else is dried and settled, your transducer is ready on your Minn Kota trolling motor.
How to mount Fish Finder to Trolling Motor
After your install a transducer to your trolling motor, you need a visual device that would receive the sonar wave signals and transform them the way you will understand… fish finder is the device.
The fish finder installation and use will open up a whole new world of fishing for you where your success of catching a fish would be higher, and the approach of how to fish will change. And most of the successful anglers use a fish finder for approaching the fishes.
Installing a Fishfinder
If you don’t install a fish finder properly on your boat, you will not be able to get the clean images from your sonar fish finder or your transducer. You can either install a fish finder by yourself or can rely on others to install it. But if you follow the steps correctly by understanding how to mount it… your job will be much easier.
Step 1 – You need to register your fishfinder after unboxing so that you get an authenticated email address and activate your warranty. It will enable the manufacturers to contact you for alerts and updates.
Step 2 – The technology keeps on updating, and as you update your smartphone… your sonar devices need to be updated too. To improve performance and compatibility for your fishfinder with other devices, update the applications and software before you install it.
Step 3 – You need to have a good power source for your fishfinder and preferably a fuse between the sonar device and the power source.
Step 4 – Make sure your transducer is properly installed as the transducer mounting is a critical step to be followed before installing a fish finder.
Step 5 – Find a correct location for your fishfinder and put it inside the cradle or any mounting bracket that you would have received with the unit.
Step 6 – Run the wires for your fishfinder by attaching the transducer cable to the fishfinder… route them properly, so they don’t get caught in the trolling motor—transducer and power connector screws to the back of the fish finder.
Step 7 – Fishfinder connectors that come on the cables connect the wires terminating with ring terminals and butt splices. Use a dielectric grease to protect the connections.
Tips on Installing a Fish Finder
The below tips can help you while installing a fish finder on your trolling motor.
- While choosing the location of installing fish finder, place it in spot and ensure nothing is in the way physically or visually.
- Try to add a couple of extra wires, so in case you need to install other accessories later, you don’t need to waste your time.
- Use the terminal connectors with sleeves in the terminal, which prevents water intrusion and corrosion.
- If you are running a 12V trolling motor, don’t run the fish finder on the same power source.
- Don’t keep the fish finder or transducer wiring near the trolling motor power supply.
Conclusion
When you know, the tips and techniques for installing a transducer and fish finder on your trolling motor and have the required tools like screwdriver and nuts will make your job much easier to use your fish finder without any drills into the boat.
Just make sure you choose the right set of devices to mount on your trolling motor.
Also read:
- 5 Best Solar Charger for Trolling Motor Battery
- 7 Best Trolling Motor Plugs Buyer’s Guide
- 5 Best Trolling Motor Foot Switches
